Iberia is to lease three Airbus A340-600s in a deal which does not affect its long-term fleet renewal plans. According to sources familiar with the airline's fleet management, Iberia will take the 380-seaters next year on five-year leases to replace three Boeing 747-300s leased from Air Atlanta Icelandic. The three A340s are believed to be part of a batch originally allocated to the now cancelled Swissair/Flightlease order. Iberia declines to comment on the deal, which is expected to be announced this week.
Iberia, which already operates 16 smaller A340-300s, continues to evaluate the -600 and the Boeing 777 for its long-term requirements. A decision on a 10-aircraft deal to replace its 747-200s is expected by year-end.
Source: Flight International
